Eight MSU theater students are participating in the first International Theatre Festival at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates located about 15 miles from Dubai.
Kirk Domer, MSU Department of Theatre chairperson, and Rob Roznowski, associate professor of acting, are traveling with the students and leading master classes at the festival.
“I am looking forward to exploring and experiencing a new culture with totally different customs,” said Katelyn Wilson, a senior theater major. “I have never been somewhere so foreign to our customs in the United States. I consider myself very lucky to have this experience.”
The six acting students will perform a new play, “Be. Longing.,” written by Roznowski. Reflecting the festival’s “cultural identity” theme, the play is a collection of scenes that examine different aspects of cultural identity and how we become the people we are.
Given an American adaptation of “Arabian Nights,” the two student designers will be challenged to design sets and costumes for their own version of this play by individually pairing up with someone from another university.
“The exciting part will be to see how we erase the international boundaries and use our common design vernacular to work together,” Domer said. “During the first two days, we will have various city tours to immerse ourselves in the culture so students will see the architecture and experience modern-day fashion in order to incorporate those real-life observations into their design.”
During their visit, the students will also participate in master classes led by theater faculty from the United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern countries.
The MSU students participating in the festival include:
- Joseph Lancour, junior set designer
- Ian Klahre, sophomore actor
- Katelyn Wilson, senior actor
- Trevor Earley, senior actor
- Taylor Blair, senior actor
- Lucy Wagenaar, junior costume designer
- Grace Hinkley, senior actor
- Raied Jawhari, sophomore actor
The group departed on Jan. 27 and is scheduled to return on Feb. 5.